Inteview by Lindz Riot
Hello Grace! Thanks for taking the time to do this interview with me for Femme Metal! So first off I wanted to say congratulations on being part of Dame-Nation Festival this year! Tell me a bit more about it. Are you excited?
Hey Lindz… It is certainly my pleasure and as you know, my dear, I am quite a fan of Mary and the Black Lamb as well. Thank you, it was definitely a welcome surprise to find out we were considered for the line-up for DN. I believe Eric from Dame Nation recruited us for the line-up when he saw us open up with Deadmanswake for Epica in Milwaukee last year. Yes, my body is already pumped for the show. Honestly, I’m grateful to be given this chance to meet, share the stage and experience some of the most amazing FFM bands out there.
Thanks so much Grace, you are so kind! So opening for Epica, amazing! What was that experience like for you and the band?
Just telling the truth. :D Well, we played at The Rave in Milwaukee and it’s the first time we met amazing fellow bands Syndrome of Fire and Deadmanswake. Overall, the experience was fantastic. As most people already know, Simone’s voice is divine and Mark and Isaac are fabulous. We would do it again in a heartbeat.
So how has your time been in Shield of Wings? What has the experience been like it? This is your first band right?
Yes, S.o.W is my first band and it really has allowed me to blossom. Honestly, when I auditioned for S.o.W, I didn’t know what to expect. I knew it was a band which had a similar musical vision as I did but at the time coming from listening to professional singers through my iPod, I didn’t realize the music process behind the scenes. Now, I have made some good mates, enhanced some of my technical skills, broken through my initial performance shudders and realized what really comes into play when wanting to release something that is crafted over time.
That’s a great answer, congrats on all your successes! That’s definitely the hardest part, those baby steps. So then, how did you come to join Shield of Wings? What is the history there and the history of the band?
The band’s concept was formed by James Gregor in early 2005, though Shield of Wings was created later during the spring of that year. From the beginning, James wanted to have a driving symphonic element within the music, but was unsure of how to accomplish this due to his lack resources. So over the first 3 1/2 years, the band’s sound was still developing and fronted only with male growling vocals. In 2008, the band started incorporated vocals, previous to my joining in 2009. For me, as I started taking voice lessons, I realized I needed another outlet to express the music genre that I wanted to sing in. Honestly, it’s quite a funny story. I’m probably one of the only vocalists who auditioned for them without any sample audio tracks. I was determined so I basically convinced the band to give me an audition. I believed my mezzo-power would be exactly what they needed and what can I say? Here I am coming up on my anniversary!
For someone who has never heard your debut EP “Solarium” how would you describe it to new listeners?
Though I suppose it’s all mainly in the category of symphonic metal, there isn’t a specific musical theme throughout the tracks. When you give it a listen you will hear the songs vary in atmosphere, intensity, and style. To a metalhead’s ear, one might taste hints of influence from various metal subgenres.
Who are some artists that have really inspired Shield of Wings sound?
Each member of the band has their own favourite artists which contribute to their style and playing, but the band’s sound as a whole has grasped influence through a number of metal artists, world music and orchestral composers.
Who is the main composer of your music and lyrics?
Long haired Viking James composes the music and lyrics then the arrangements are finalized with the other band members.
So for you grace, when did you start singing? How old were you and what were you singing?This is a loaded question, but honestly I have always sung. Even as a kid I used to mimic the Maria Callas CD’s my Aunt would play around the house. My mother never was a lover of opera so you could image her dismay. To pinpoint a more exact time, I would say that I discovered my love for music and “inner voice” when attending mass in Church. Singing at Church, it opened my heart to really want to embrace this passion within me. And inevitably, like many female metal singers, I yearned to express the beautiful darkness that resonated within me and I would say it is the music of Evanescence which accomplished this.
So for you Grace, when did you start singing? How old were you and what were you singing?
This is a loaded question, but honestly I have always sung. Even as a kid I used to mimic the Maria Callas CD’s my Aunt would play around the house. My mother never was a lover of opera so you could image her dismay. To pinpoint a more exact time, I would say that I discovered my love for music and "inner voice" when attending mass in Church. Singing at Church, it opened my heart to really want to embrace this passion within me. And inevitably, like many female metal singers, I yearned to express the beautiful darkness that resonated within me and I would say it is the music of Evanescence which accomplished this.
What is the relationship like with your current vocal coach? What kind of projects have you two worked on?
Unfortunately, I didn’t begin my vocal training until a little over three years ago. Luckily, my vocal coach is an amazing woman and again I feel blessed to have been selected to work with her. She works with accomplished singers worldwide and has placed me on an advanced agenda to try and bring me to a level that of singers my age. My classical training is primarily focused on things such as arias, oratorios, etc. to stretch, build, and strengthen my voice and is separate to our band, but nonetheless I bring what I learn into our practices and music.
And who are some of your favourite singers that have inspired and influenced you to sing?
As a singer, I’m sure you know how much voices and lyrics can impact and inspire your life. As a female singer, I would say I naturally gravitated to other female singers because I could sing along. But truly, it is the unique voices or the “originals” which always grasped my attention first. In addition, I never limited myself to only one genre and grew up listening to all kinds of music. Haha… Narrowing it down is so hard , but some of the voices which most influence me over the years to name a few have been: Maria Callas, Amy Lee, Diana Ross, Bebel Gilberto, Shakira, Dolores O’Riordan, Sarah McLachlan & Judy Garland. I would say my latest obsessions have been: Heather St. Marie (of Hydrovibe) and Shara Worden (of My Brightest Diamond).
Do you have any other musical training? Do you play any other instruments?
Funny you should mention that. I realized the importance of theory and technical know-how. Sometimes, I would just have this composition in my head, but I could never really actualize it. This is precisely why I started to learn the Piano. I was enrolled in lessons as a child but protested with tremendous rage wanting to play harp instead! What every little girl wants to be a magical fairy with harp in tow! However, here I am re-learning everything and proud to say I’m taking it day-by-day and hopefully 3 years from now, I’ll be able to actually keep up with my musical co-horts.
What is your daily life outside of music like for you?
Well, you have three choices to guess from: When I was 15 years old, I started to notice that I could do things others can’t. They weren’t just typical things. My mind started to manipulate the weather around me, the irises of my eyes would even turn white and I even began to fly! Fearing for my life my parents enrolled me in Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters and I eventually became an X-men. International spy/femme fetale spy, of course! Slave to the concrete jungle until I get the chance to work full time in the music industry. Huzzah!
I’m gonna say number 2! What can we expect from Shield of Wings in the future? Do you have any upcoming plans to release another EP or a full length?
Within the next few months, these things will be decided. We prefer to keep our fans on the edge of their seat, so you can find SoW on Facebook and ‘Like’ our bandpage to keep up with the latest band news.
Well thanks for this interview Grace! All the best with Dame Nation, hope it’s a wonderful show!
Thanks Lindz, I certainly think it will be and am ready to make it memorable one! It’s been truly wonderful to receive support from all our fans and the metal community!
2. International spy/femme fetale spy, of course!
3. Slave to the concrete jungle until I get the chance to work full time in the music industry. Huzzah!
Who is the main composer of your music and lyrics?Long haired Viking James composes the music and lyrics then the arrangements are finalized with the other band members.
Links
Shield of Wings Official MySpace
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